A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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"There is nothing wrong, my best beloved one. I only wanted to see you one last time." "Don't talk like that!"

"Is that not what you wish, to be free of me?"

"Yes. No. I don't know." Was it really what she wanted, never to see him again? What would her life have been like if she had let him bring her across centuries ago? How did one know if one would be happy living as a vampire? If she accepted the Dark Gift, would she come to regret it?

He smiled wistfully as he reached for her hand. "You have given me much joy throughout the centuries," he said quietly. "Promise me that you will be happy in this life."

"How can I promise such a thing?"

"Leave this place. Marry your young man. Have children. Grow old together."
Tracystared at him. "You want me to marryBryan ?"

"He loves you."

"I thought you loved me."

"With all my heart.Never doubt it for a minute."

She shook her head. "I know what you're planning." She blinked back the tears that burned her eyes. "You're going to destroy Petrina and Kitana , and then yourself, aren't you? Aren't you?Because of me."

"Tracy…"

"Aren't you? Don't lie to me, Dominic. Tell me the truth."

"I have waited for you for centuries," he said heavily."Waited to make you mine. I grow weary of waiting."

"No!" She threw herself into his arms. "I can't imagine my life without you in it. Please, Dominic, don't leave me."

"Tracy!" He gathered her into his arms and held her tight, cursing as the lethargy of his kind began to steal over him. "I must rest, my best beloved one. I will come to you tonight."

She nodded, then, cupping his face in her hands, she kissed him. "I love you, Dominic."

He kissed her,then set her on her feet. Rising, he drew her into his arms again. "Until tonight," he murmured. "Go now."

She smiled at him,then hurried toward the passageway. Pausing at the door, she turned in time to see him disappear into his bedroom. With a shiver of revulsion at the thought of him climbing into the casket, she ran up the passageway and out into the light of a new day.

Outside, she wandered around the yard for a while. Relishing the feel of the sun on her face, she